ID'ing trees by bark is focus of April nature walk

Walkers head out past a stone wall and pile on a recent outing. (MMRG (photo)

Moose Mountains Regional Greenways will offer a free guided walk for the public to enjoy the woods and learn about tree identification on April 2 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The outing will take place on 200 acres of private conservation land in Farmington and New Durham.

Our trip leaders will be John Wallace, a NH Natural Resources Steward and Strafford County Coordinator of the NH Big Trees Program, and retired entomologist Charles Tatham, also with the Big Trees Program. Wallace retired from a career in biochemistry and has since devoted his time and energy to various land conservation efforts, including the Barrington Conservation Commission and Strafford Rivers Conservancy. Tatham worked with invasive species for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. He is always eager to identify plants that he encounters when traveling in New Hampshire and Maine using nontechnical guidebooks.

The educational focus of the event will be identifying trees by bark and other characteristics observable during the months before trees leaf out. In addition, participants will learn the criteria for getting a tree listed on the NH Big Trees Record and how to measure trees for that purpose. It will also be a great opportunity to enjoy walking through the beautiful conserved forest land owned by Rod and Judy Thompson. MMRG is grateful to the landowners for donating the conservation easement on their property, which will be forever preserved in its natural state.

Your registration is requested at least 24 hours before the event. For directions and to pre-register, please call MMRG Education Coordinator Kari Lygren at (603) 978-7125 or email info@mmrg.info. Please do not bring pets to this event.